Business Language Update Guide
If the language you use is out of date, out of favor, or out of left field, your business communication fails to hit the mark. Whether you are presenting to an important client, writing a prospecting letter, a follow-up letter or a proposal, you need to update and upgrade your business language to stimulate a positive response.Avoid Low Information Content Words
INSTEAD OF: | USE: |
a majority of | most |
administrate | administer |
advise or inform | tell or say |
as per | regarding/according to |
as per your request | as you requested/as you asked |
at the rate of | at |
at this point in time | now |
attached herewith | I have attached |
attempt | try |
avail yourself | use |
basic principles | principles |
by means of | by |
check in the amount of | check for |
consensus of opinion | consensus |
construct | build |
despite the fact that | although |
due to the fact that | because |
during the course of | during/ while |
enclosed please find | . . . is enclosed/I have enclosed |
equitable | fair |
facilitate | help |
fact of the matter | fact |
first of all | first |
for a period of | for |
for the purpose of | for |
further to our discussion | since our discussion |
give encouragement to | encourage |
I apologize | it is regrettable |
inasmuch as | since/ because |
in connection with | about |
infrequent | rare |
in accordance with | according to |
in the event that | if |
in the nature of | like |
in reference to, in regard to | about |
in order that, in order to | to |
in view of the fact that | since/because |
involves the use of | uses |
is designed to be | is |
large number of | many |
make an adjustment in | adjust |
meet with your approval | if you approve |
not in a position to | cannot |
occurrence | event |
orientated | oriented |
personal opinion | opinion |
past history | history |
please find enclosed | please find enclosed |
please do not hesitate to contact us/the undersigned | please contact us/me |
please be advised that | (eliminate, just begin) |
preventative | preventive |
provide assistance to | assist |
pursuant to | since |
requisite | required |
same (as in "copy of same") | copy |
still continues | continues |
take into consideration | consider |
terminate | end |
the writer | me or I |
the undersigned | me or I |
to my attention/to myself | to me |
utilize | use |
usage | use |
we regret to inform you | (eliminate) |
we would ask that | please |
wherein, herein, the foregoing | (eliminate) |
with the result that | so |
Yours Truly, | Sincerely, |